Six Days, One Handbook: Africa’s ASM Booksprint

From 10 to 15 November 2025, artisanal and small-scale mining experts from 18 countries met in Livingstone, Zambia, for the Africa Regional ASM book. The workshop resulted in a draft handbook for ASM extension service providers that consolidates key material from capacity building of artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM) across the continent into a single handbok.  

The event opened with remarks from Mr. Azell Banda of Zambia’s Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development, who spoke about new national efforts to train and support small-scale miners. Dr. James Wakiaga, UNDP Resident Representative in Zambia, reminded everyone how many people depend on ASM for their livelihoods and why safer, more sustainable practices are essential. Ms. Isabelle Magne from the European Commission highlighted the EU’s partnership with UNDP and African institutions, noting that ASM has an important role in Africa’s green transition. Mr. Mkhululi Ncube of the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) presented the emerging African ASM framework.  

Over six days, participants drafted the main chapters of the new manual, covering legal frameworks, formalization, mining methods, health and safety, environmental management, business skills, and gender inclusion. The Booksprint taps into collective knowledge and experience of the experts and builds upon existing guides that have been developed as part of the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme’s decade of work in formalization and training of ASM, the recently developed Zambian ASM Manual for Extension Service Providers, as well as other initiatives such as the DELVE Exchange ASM Academy, the CRAFT Code for Artisanal Miners and other best practice resources. 

What made this workshop unique was its fast, highly collaborative writing process. By the end of the week, teams had produced a solid first draft that will serve as an essential guide for extension service providers for a safer, better organized, and more sustainable ASM across Africa.